Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Fairfield’s Nancy Mihlon leads juggling clinic
FAIRFIELD – A group of local residents got to work on their juggling abilities during a fun event at the Fairfield Public Library last week.
Volunteer Nancy Mihlon led a juggling clinic that met on March 11 and 15, part of the library’s series of events during Spring Break Week. Mihlon led the class in honing their skills with the basics of juggling, starting with three balls at a time.
“That’s what most people think of when they talk about juggling,” Mihlon said.
Mihlon has been interested in juggling ever since she was a little girl. She grew up on the big island of Hawaii, and she remembers a “crazy British guy” named Graham Ellis who led a children’s circus as part of an after-school program. Ellis taught children how to juggle, along with lots of other circus-themed skills.
“He taught unicycling, juggling, tumbling, stilt-walking and all kinds of things,” Mihlon said.
Mihlon kept up with juggling over the years, doing it to occupy her time whenever her mind wanders.
“It’s kind of like walking, but with your hands,” she said. “It’s a good way to meet people at the park, or entertain small children.”
Mihlon had not been interested in teaching juggling until last year, when she checked out a book at the library about how to teach the subject, since she was leading a course on juggling for homeschool students.
Mihlon is a member of Friends of the Library, a group that volunteers at library programs. She told children’s librarian Sara Martindale she would be happy to share her juggling skills, and Martindale was delighted.
“I think kids need as many different ways to have fun moving as possible,” Mihlon said. “And not just kids, too, but all humans. We spend a lot of time not moving. Circus has a long history of accepting all kinds of misfits. It’s like a misfits’ club, so it can be good for those kids.”
Martindale said she greatly appreciates the help of Mihlon and other volunteers who expand the library’s offerings.
“We can do so many more programs with the support of volunteers,” she said. “Having a group like Friends of the Library gives us a ready group of volunteers that we know are willing to help out in different ways. Some of them give their time and help behind the scenes, like helping us with book sales.”
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
